In terms of women’s participation, over the past decade, progress has been made on the African continent in the area of women’s political and economic empowerment, said Prof. Maria Nzomo, Kenya High Commissioner in Zimbabwe, in a speech in October 2003. "Although the road to women’s full incorporation in the areas of development, peace building and politics is long and replete with obstacles, recent developments at the regional level provide space for optimism...Whereas the OAU was concerned with liberating Africa from colonisation, the AU and other recent initiatives are expected to focus on promoting and protecting human rights including women’s human rights, consolidating democratic institutions and culture, building new institutions to monitor and promote peace, security and development, encouraging and promoting civil society, and ensuring good governance and the rule of law."